Only Mine too quick for Washington in Lacken

ONLY MINE showed speed is truly her forte with a smart effort from on the pace to turn the form around with Washington DC in thumping style.

Trained by Joe Murphy and ridden by Gary Carroll, Only Mine had failed to stay over 7f in the Nell Gwyn Stakes on her seasonal debut before running third to Washington DC on her next start over 6f. This time though, Washington DC could not match the pace of the filly, who returned at 16-1.

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Only Mine may be by a Derby winner in Pour Moi, and carrying the silks most readily associated with Oaks winner Qualify, but she is fast.

Having surged to the lead out of the stalls she then allowed Erysimum to go to the front until between the two and one furlong markers.

Showing a decisive change of pace, Only Mine took two lengths out of the field approaching the final furlong as she shot through to the front and it made all the difference.

Aclaim, who finished third, had looked a danger but was unable to live with the change of gear. Washington DC was forced to make his challenge wide having failed to find a gap through the pack, but ultimately was unable to get close to the winner, who had been two-and-a-half lengths behind the runner up the last time they met.

"The little ease in the ground helped her a lot," said Murphy. "She might go to the Curragh next Saturday for the Ballyogan Stakes and when the ground firms up we will probably put her away."

He added: "We'll put her in a Group race in the second half of the season, the target might be the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, she was in the Commonwealth Cup but we pulled her out because we think the ground will be too hard.

"I always thought she was a very good filly, and I think she proved it today. I think she will be a Group 1 filly."